Spotlight On Maryland-MDOT State Highway Administration

This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash was joined in studio by Charlie Gischlar, Deputy Director of Media Relations/Digital and Danny Allman, Assistant Media Relations Manager at the Maryland Department of Transportation, (MDOT), State Highway Administration, (SHA), to talk about work zone-safety, anti-littering and how to ensure your vehicle is road ready for the extremely hot weather and other safety tips for Marylanders like double-checking after parking that children and/or pets are not left in hot vehicles.

Litter removal is a priority for the SHA as part of its annual maintenance program. Litter is a real safety issue. Imagine what happens when crews mow grass along a roadway and strike a bottle, chuck of wood or piece of metal. The results can be dangerous for workers and passing motorists. Litter is also an environmental hazard affecting our waterways and wooded areas. SHA works to tackle litter removal with their crews, contractors, and inmate crews. They also have an active Adopt-A-Highway program that taps the work of volunteers across Maryland. Their statewide litter campaign featuring Governor Wes Moore is urging residents to "Respect Maryland Roads, Don't Litter!" In the last three years, Maryland has spent an average of more than $17 million picking up trash and debris along state highways inspiring the phrase, "Your Trash is Costing Maryland Cash!"

For traffic advisories, conditions and more helpful information for motorists, visit roads.maryland.gov. You can also follow them on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Click the media player above to listen to the interview and find out more.